Posted by Actively Black
on September 25, 2026
Forbes profiled Actively Black, the Black-owned sportswear brand founded by Lanny Smith in 2020, in Lydia T. Blanco's March 2023 feature "Fredrika Newton And Lanny Smith Designed Inspirational Apparel To Pay Homage To The Black Panther Party." The story covered All Power To The People, a capsule collection created with Fredrika Newton, President and Co-founder of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, former Black Panther Party member and widow of Huey P. Newton. Forbes framed the collaboration as a way to keep the Party's legacy, and its intentional use of image and dress, alive for a new generation.
Key takeaways
- Forbes reported that Actively Black partnered with Fredrika Newton on the All Power To The People capsule collection to honor the legacy of the Black Panther Party.
- According to Forbes, All Power To The People Project is a merchandise line founded by Fredrika Newton and businesswoman and designer Rachel Konte.
- Forbes reported that Smith founded Actively Black in 2020 out of his apartment, with a mission to uplift and reinvest in the Black community.
- Forbes noted that proceeds support educational programs, physical, mental and emotional health resources, HBCU athletics, social justice initiatives, and diversity and representation advocacy.
- Forbes reported that the collaboration followed Actively Black's partnership with Marvel on athleisure inspired by the Black Panther film and Wakanda.
- According to Forbes, Actively Black signed an NIL deal with UNC-Chapel Hill basketball player Deja Kelly in July 2022.
In their words
“This isn't about what everybody else says they were. This is about what we know and who they were to us.”
— Lanny Smith, to Forbes
“Our tribe doesn't feel like they're walking billboards for Actively Black. They feel like Actively Black is the billboard for them”
— Lanny Smith, to Forbes
“Lanny's vision and his reverence for the party is such a good match for the work that we do”
— Fredrika Newton, to Forbes
Why it matters
The Black Panther Party understood that imagery is a message. As Fredrika Newton told Forbes, the Party's members were protecting the community and running more than 65 survival programs, while mainstream media often showed only one side of them. This collection is about telling the story ourselves, with the blessing of someone who lived it, and turning that history into gear people can wear every day.
It is also a reminder of who powers movements. Forbes highlighted Smith's commitment to championing Black women, from the Black Women Are Superheroes collection inspired by his mother, Alfreda Smith, to signing Deja Kelly. Reclaiming our identity and defining it for ourselves is what it means to be Actively Black, and it is why the clothes are the uniform for the movement.
Shop the story
Honor the legacy with Huey P. Newton x Actively Black and Fred Hampton x Actively Black, or explore our women’s and unisex best sellers.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Actively Black?
Lanny Smith founded Actively Black in 2020 out of his apartment. Forbes described him as a former NBA player and businessman.
What is the All Power To The People collection?
According to Forbes, All Power To The People is a capsule collection created by Actively Black with Fredrika Newton to pay homage to the Black Panther Party, modernizing its imagery into athleisure.
Is Actively Black Black-owned?
Yes. Actively Black is a Black-owned sportswear brand founded by Lanny Smith to uplift and reinvest in the Black community.
Who is Fredrika Newton?
As described by Forbes, Fredrika Newton is President and Co-founder of the Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation, a former Black Panther Party member and the widow of Huey P. Newton.
Read the full feature: Fredrika Newton And Lanny Smith Designed Inspirational Apparel To Pay Homage To The Black Panther Party, Forbes (March 2023)
